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NHL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, October 2

Kirill Marchenko Trade Pursuit Details Revealed by NHL Insider

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NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes tried extensively to acquire Kirill Marchenko over the summer, even attempting to involve third teams to satisfy the Columbus Blue Jackets. Marchenko informed Columbus he would not re-sign there, and while he was initially open to joining Montreal, the Blue Jackets ultimately traded him elsewhere due to rejecting Montreal's initial offers.

Brandon Bussi to Make Second Consecutive Start in Crease

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Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed that Brandon Bussi will start Friday's home game against the Washington Capitals. The 28-year-old goaltender gets the nod for his second straight start to begin the regular season after turning aside 19 of 20 shots in an overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Opening Night. With Carolina playing on the road against Philadelphia on Saturday, teammate Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to make his regular-season debut then.

Tristan Luneau Signs Six-Year, $43.2M Extension with Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Tristan Luneau to a six-year contract extension with a $7.2 million AAV, effective for the 2027-28 season. Despite playing only 14 NHL games and recording 4 points, GM Pat Verbeek secured the 22-year-old to a long-term deal to anchor a depleted blue line. Luneau is slated to skate on the top pair alongside Jackson LaCombe and run the second power-play unit, making it a massive bet on his high-end upside and projection.

Aleksander Barkov Scheduled For MRI Following Apparent Knee Injury

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Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is scheduled for an MRI on Friday after exiting a 4-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks with an apparent left leg injury sustained in a second-period board battle. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed it is unrelated to his previous right knee ACL and MCL tear. Unlikely to face the Ducks on Sunday, Barkov could miss the remainder of the West Coast swing as the team awaits further medical evaluation and recovery timelines.

Leon Draisaitl Powers Edmonton Oilers Top Offensive Line

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Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl continues to anchor the team's top offensive unit alongside Connor McDavid and newly featured linemates like Vasily Podkolzin. Draisaitl's elite production remains crucial as the Oilers look to maintain offensive momentum despite facing mounting injuries among their forward ranks.

Dylan Strome Highlighted in Latest NHL Hockey News Coverage

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Dylan Strome is featured in the latest NHL news cycle as analysts and publications evaluate player rankings, roster depth, and early-season performances across the league. He remains a key name to watch as team dynamics shift during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 NHL regular season schedule.

Connor McDavid Explodes in High-Scoring Thriller for Oilers

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Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid exploded offensively in a high-scoring thriller, showcasing his dominant playmaking ability. Skating alongside key linemates like Vasily Podkolzin, McDavid continues to drive the Oilers' offensive attack as the team navigates early-season matchups and a mounting injury crisis among its forward depth.

Vasily Podkolzin Emerges as Must-Add Fantasy Waiver Wire Option

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Vasily Podkolzin is generating strong fantasy interest as a must-add waiver wire target, earning valuable skating time alongside elite Edmonton Oilers linemates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The rising skater looks to capitalize on this prime placement in the Oilers' high-powered offense as the new season unfolds.

Easton Cowan's Hot Start Decreases Maple Leafs' Trade Desire

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Easton Cowan leads the Toronto Maple Leafs in scoring with three points through two games, recording an assist against Montreal and a two-point performance featuring a power-play game-winner against the Islanders. Praised by coach Jim Hiller as a 'puck hound' during training camp, Cowan's stellar play has caused the organization's desire to trade the young left winger to significantly decrease to start the 2026-27 NHL season.

Oliver Kapanen Returns to Montreal Canadiens Practice Ahead of Penguins Tilt

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Montreal Canadiens centerman Oliver Kapanen returned to the ice wearing a normal jersey and fully participated in team practice after missing the season opener. Coach Martin St-Louis has not yet determined if Kapanen will return to the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kapanen scored 22 goals in his rookie season and is vying to reclaim his spot on the second line alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov following a quiet preseason.

Zach Werenski Delivers Two Assists in Season Opener

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Zach Werenski picked up two assists, including one on the power play, to go along with three shots on net, one blocked shot, and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Buffalo. The reigning Norris Trophy winner assisted on first-period goals by Matthew Knies and Adam Fantilli to help Columbus take an early lead, continuing his stellar production after consecutive 80-point seasons.

Charlie Coyle Records Three Assists in Blue Jackets Win

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Charlie Coyle posted three assists, including one on the power play, along with two hits, a blocked shot, and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-3 win over Buffalo. Coyle set up Cole Sillinger and Matthew Knies for first-period tallies before assisting on Mathieu Olivier's late empty-netter. Centering the third line, Coyle also featured on the top power-play unit for Columbus.

Matthew Knies Dazzles With Three Points in Debut

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Matthew Knies made franchise history in his debut with Columbus, recording two goals—including a power-play strike and the game-winner—and an assist in a 6-3 victory over Buffalo. Acquired from Toronto before the season in the Kirill Marchenko trade, the 23-year-old winger tied Artemi Panarin for the most points in a Jackets debut while skating on the top line alongside Adam Fantilli.

Jack Hughes Scores Overtime Winner for Devils

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Jack Hughes led the New Jersey Devils to victory by scoring an overtime goal in Thursday's action. The game-winner came after a mid-game exchange where Hughes objected to a broadcast question about bubble wrap and plastic utensils, which was linked to a past incident where he was reportedly injured during a team dinner last season. Hughes helped secure the win despite the distraction.

Ben Kindel Nearing Return From Lower-Body Injury

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Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel returned to practice on Thursday wearing a full-contact jersey and participating in line rushes. His full participation in team drills signals that he could be nearing a return from a lower-body injury that previously kept him sidelined. The Penguins will continue to monitor his status ahead of upcoming games as he works his way back into the lineup.

Blake Lizotte Evaluated for Lower-Body Injury

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Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte missed practice on Thursday while being evaluated for a lower-body injury. The injury issue comes just one day after Lizotte returned from injured reserve during Pittsburgh's 7-0 season-opening victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Further updates on his recovery timeline and game availability remain pending while team medical staff complete evaluation.

Thursday, October 1

Elias Pettersson Delivers Three Points in Loss to Oilers

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Elias Pettersson scored a power-play goal, added two assists, and doled out eight hits in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Oilers. Both of Pettersson's goals this season have come on the power play, bringing his total to four points through the first two games. The 27-year-old center is laying the foundation for a potential rebound year after experiencing an offensive decline over the previous two seasons.

Marco Rossi Racks Up Three Points in High-Scoring Loss

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Marco Rossi scored two goals on four shots, dished a power-play assist, added two PIM, and logged two hits in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Oilers. Rossi was heavily involved in the offense, registering all three of his points in a rapid 5:44 span early in the third period. The 25-year-old center is off to a fast start with four points, five shots on net, and two hits across his first two games while skating on Vancouver's second line.

Evan Bouchard Sets Historic Record With Eight Points

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Evan Bouchard scored a goal on four shots, added two assists, and posted a plus-3 rating in the Edmonton Oilers' 9-7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. With this stellar performance, Bouchard reached eight points, setting a modern NHL record for the most points by any defenseman in a team's first two games since 1917. Despite earning only one power-play assist so far, the star blueliner is off to a phenomenal start in his pursuit of another point-per-season campaign.

Connor McDavid Explodes for Five Points Against Canucks

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Connor McDavid showcased elite offensive dominance by recording a shorthanded goal and four assists, including two on the power play, in the Edmonton Oilers' wild 9-7 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Following a two-point showing in the season opener, the superstar captain elevated his early-season production to seven points and a plus-5 rating through two games. Fantasy managers and fans alike are reaping instant rewards as the Oilers' offense starts the year blazing hot.